A 66-year-old Canton woman with apparently no prior criminal record is headed for jail after a shipment of more than 40 pounds of high-grade marijuana from Oregon arrived at her house Friday, police said.

CANTON — A 66-year-old Canton woman with apparently no prior criminal record is headed for jail after a shipment of more than 40 pounds of high-grade marijuana from Oregon arrived at her house Friday, police said.

Due to health issues, Linda Hansen, a retiree, was given the weekend before she has to turn herself into the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center on a charge of trafficking marijuana, said Phil Price, commander of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad.

The packages, which Price estimated weighed 46 pounds and were worth $200,000 on the street, were delivered by a commercial shipping carrier to Hansen’s home on Oak Haven Drive, after being intercepted and tracked by police, Price said.

Agents believe Hansen acted as a “go-between,” having the drugs shipped to her house off East Cherokee Drive to be picked up by her friend Sylvia Joyce Hyder, 56, of Tucker.

Price said he was surprised by Hansen’s suspected involvement in the coast-to-coast drug trafficking ring.

“She does not, as far as we know, have any kind of criminal record,” he said Friday. “It’s a little bit surprising to see somebody who’s retired getting into this kind of trouble at that age.”

Hansen’s health issues also make the case unusual. The commander declined to say what problems she had with her health, but he said her condition makes it so officers want to make sure she is OK before heading into jail.

“This is not a bondable offense,” Price said. “She would be there for some period of time. We don’t want to do any damage, so we gave her the option to turn herself in.”

The commander said he expected a time for Hansen to turn herself in to be worked out Monday.

Hansen and her friend were caught after one of the packages was intercepted by the Douglas Inter-Agency Narcotics Unit in Roseburg, Ore., who worked with Cherokee officers and the shipping company to track the contraband across the country, Price said.

CMANS officers set up surveillance on Hansen’s house and watched as two packages were delivered by the carrier. Then, they waited as Hyder came to pick them up, Price said. She was arrested on a charge of trafficking marijuana and taken to the Cherokee County jail.

Narcotics officers in Cherokee and Oregon are working to find the person who sent the packages to Hansen’s house and to decide where they will be charged.

“We think we have a name. I’m not ready to give it out because he hasn’t been charged,” Price said. “But we do think there will be at least one other arrest in this.”

Wow. Way to go police... You just busted two old ladies who, more than likely, were just looking for their preferred type of medicine. I'm sure they "won't disclose the medical condition" cause it would clearly show their intent for the cannabis. MEDICINE. Now, you are sending these two little old ladies to jail for a victimless, non violent crime. This country is unbelievable. It should sicken everyone that we allow such a waste of resources just to keep our corporate-run prison systems and police unions happy. This only benefits them. I feel sorry for these two ladies. They get to see first hand the obnoxiousness of this country's drug scheduling program. Thanks, Nixon. When the day comes that this country finally smartens up, georgia will be bringing up the rear like a caboose. Doesn't everyone realize that states are laughing at us? Are you ok with that? Why do we have to keep playing this crazy political game?? (Look no further than Nathan deal - who is handing over his medical cannabis efforts to this states largest and most profitable healthcare groups who have constantly contributed to his campaign - and even then - just for kids using a totally modified and crippled mutation of cannabis.). It's just more politics. Why are you ok with the government telling you what to do with your body? Seriously Georgia, wake up.

*We welcome your comments on the stories and issues of the day and seek to provide a forum for the community to voice opinions. All comments are subject to moderator approval before being made visible on the website but are not edited. The use of profanity, obscene and vulgar language, hate speech, and racial slurs is strictly prohibited. Advertisements, promotions, spam, and links to outside websites will also be rejected. Please read our terms of service for full guides